Cognac's Corner claims no credit for any images featured on this site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to it's respectful owners. Cognac's Corner is in no way responsible for or has control of the content of any external web site links. Information on this site may contain errors or inaccuracies; the site's proprietors do not make warranty as to the correctness or reliability of the site's content. If you own rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on this site, please contact us via e-mail and they will be promptly removed.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine
Cognac Chats with Magician Prakash Puru – Video by Mauro Botero
It was a night of magic at Asiana Restaurant as I interviewed the master of the mind Magician Prakash Puru
From reading the minds of the New York Yankees at a gala event in Manhattan, to a demonstration of card-cheating at The Ritz-Carlton Millennia Singapore; Prakash Puru is in constant demand to perform at corporate events and private parties worldwide. He will fascinate, dazzle and entertain your mind, body and soul, if you dare to sell it darlings!
Magician Prakash Puru reads Cognac’s mind – Video by Mauro Botero
Magician Prakash Puru performs magic – Video by Mauro Botero
Another famous magician and magic consultant who stopped by to chat was Matthew Holtzclaw. “Magic should be scary. It should unsettle,” he confessed in our interview. “The construction of a moment of horror is similar to the construction of a moment of magic… I always say, the monster in your front yard is more disturbing than the one in the haunted house. You walk into a bad place expecting bad things. A good magic trick sneaks up on you while you’re just relaxing.”
Cognac chats with Magic Consultant Matthew Holtzclaw – Video by Mauro Botero
This seasoned performer also works as a consultant on magical effects in theater and film, recently working with Teller (yes, that Teller) on a particularly violent version of Macbeth. “I’m now consulting for a stage production of Dracula,” he says. “Strangely, I’m often asked to find creative ways to kill people.”
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine
Cognac chats with Founder Sara Ehrlich and Realty TV Star Jill Zarin – Video by Mauro Botero
In the midst of a Hamptons summer The Nova’s Ark Project in Watermill hosted Second Annual Help For Orphans International Hamptons Benefit. The event attracted over 300 fashionable guests on Friday sponsored by Hamptons.com, Fame Game, Zarin Fabrics, and Christiania Vodka. The event, co-chaired by Help For Orphans International founder Sarah Ehrlich and Jill Zarin of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” These ladies are committed to help raise the necessary funds to build a vocational school for orphans in Kisii, Kenya, which is due to open the following year. Their mission is to raise $300,000 throughout the year.
Celebrities that mingled with Hamptons guest included Bravo’s realty TV show “The Real Housewives of New York City” Jill Zarin, Bethenny Frankel, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, and the newest housewife Kelly Killoren Bensimon, along with Tundra Wolf, Enzo Morabito, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sara Herbert-Galloway, fashion designer Michael Mione, Artist Justin Love, Tex Caldarola, Dr. and Mrs. Gerry Curatola, Gracean and Jerry DeCrosta, Amelia Doggwiler, Vincent Horcasitas, Maynard Monrow, Helen Gifford, Glenn Myles, Allyson Shapiro, Anna Wilding, Bobby Zarin, Fashion Designer Vlad from Vladicouture and Colette whose art was autioned.
Cognac chats with Brad Boles, Jill Zarin’s Gay Husband and Artist Colette – Video by Mauro Botero
I had fun chatting with Brad Boles, Jill Zarin’s gay husband about our New York City days in the 80’s and about the infamous night spot “Area” and how Andy Warhol almost lost his wig in the club after being terrorized from one of the shark’s getting loose from a shattered Aquarium tank. That must have been hilarious darlings!!!
Artist Collette and I discussed her art over skinny girl martinis that were invented by Bethenny Frankel who was busy behind the bar making the cocktails herself.
Colette is one of New York City’s artistic Living National Treasures. Her pioneering street performances in the 1970s brought the avant-garde art form into the public eye. Her beautiful installations at such location as the Fiorucci store on 59th Street in Manhattan, at The Clocktower and PS i, and in various European venues such as Berlin and Rome brought crucial attention to this vital genre of work. And they had a huge influence on Pop culture (without Colette we would not have had many aspects of Madonna, for example). Her altered photographs have been widely exhibited and published to critical acclaim.
to learn more about Colette please visit: http://colettetheartist.com/
Cognac chats with Editor In Chief Nicole Brewer from Hamptons.com and Artist Justin Love – Video by Mauro Botero
Editor In Chief Nicole Brewer from Hamptons.com chatted with me about being one of the important sponsors of Help For Orphans Event and Justin love showcased his artwork. “My studio is the painted world in which I work. I like my paintings stacked and hung and tilted around me. I feel excited by the Byzantine life that colors lead within their baroque and burnished frames” quotes the artist.
Cognac chats with Daniel Padilla from blue Star Jets, Publsher Kathy Rae of Dan’s Papers, The Countess and Publicist R. Couri Hay – Video by Mauro Botero
I also had the chance to talk to tall dark and handsome Daniel Padilla from Blue Star Jets. Daniel confessed that Blue Star Jets has the monopoly of transporting high profile individuals and celebrities by hellicopter to the Hamptons.
Blue Star Jets is the worlds most comprehensive and efficient private jet brokerage company. With access to operators of the largest networks of luxury charter flights, they arrange access to the ideal jet for any given flight to any destination in the world on a moment’s notice.
To find out more info please visit http://bluestarjets.com/ or you can email Daniel at dpadilla@bluestarjets.com
Publisher Kathy Rae talked about Dan’s Papers and Hamptons Style Magazine and I also chatted with the Countess LuAnn de Lesseps about her upcoming book on proper manners and etiquette.
TV Hostess and Personality, American Indian, Countess (Suez Canal Aristocracy), trained Nurse (LPN) LuAnn is an exotic product of an Algonquin father and a French mother.
LuAnn began her career for Italian TV (Calale 5) landing high profile shows such as “Paperissima” (Bloopers Bleeps and Blunders) and “Pressing” (Co-hosting Soccer Program).
She has also appeared in “Open Call” an off Broadway Show at the neighborhood Playhouse Theater. A polished performer, with looks and personality to match, she is both talented and irresistible. LuAnn is presently living with her family in New York City.
LuAnn is hosting her own show on WVVH Hamptons TV called “The Countess Report” and was featured on WCBS during the Hampton Classic. She continues doing “The Countess Report” segments with WCBS on a regular basis, recently with Simon Doonan and the “Royal Windows at Barneys”.
“The Countess Culture”, a show about manners and etiquette was airing on FOX5 Good Day New York twice a week. FOX5 received the Emmy award of “Best Morning Show” for Good Day New York.
You can now catch the Countess on her newest show “The Real Housewives of NYC” at 10pm EST on Bravo TV.
My biggest thrill was talking to Publicist R. Couri Hay. R. Couri Hay is a publicist and society columnist in New York City.
Mr. Hay was privileged to be born at the right time. His career has taken him on the red carpet interviewing Actress Ms. Rosalind Russell, Movie Star legend Joan Crawford, Singer Peggy Lee and countless others.
Hello darlings, Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac chats with the stars on the red carpet at the Long Island Film Expo Video by Mauro Botero
Enthusastic Longislanders wait every year for The Long Island International Film Expo. Although it may not be as glamorous as the Cannes Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival or even Sundance, it always promises to be just as entertaining. The price is reasonable and quite affordiable. An all-access pass to Sundance cost $3,000 this year, the Expo only charged $60, or $9 for individual tickets. Not too shabby darlngs for an extensive program that included 133 feature and short films – about 40 of them from Long Islanders or New Yorkers – and numerous panels and discussions.
The Lifetime Achievement award was the hightlight of the evening. This year’s recipent was Veteran Actor Tony LoBianco. The award was presented by Actor Anthony Mangano from the TV Show “Rescue Me” and fabulous Opera Singer Cristina Fontanelli serenaded the audience with her fantastic soprano voice singing the National Anthem. Comedian Adam Ferrara was the comic relief through it all.
To learn more about the Long Island Film Expo please visit http://liifilmexpo.org.
Cognac chats with Actor Tony LoBianco and Opera Star Cristina Fontanelli – Video by Mauro Botero
Actor Tony Lo Bianco is not only known for his skills as a performer, but has extended his talents into directing, writing and producing as well. The New York born-and-bred tough guy and former Golden Gloves boxer has distinguished himself over the years with a variety of Italianate blue-collar roles initially on stage and then on film and TV. Adept at playing both sides of the law — the determined, streetwise cop and the corrupt politico and syndicate boss — embodying them with a dark, brooding, edgy intensity. He won an off-Broadway Obie award as a waning baseball icon in “Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the Seventh”; an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony nomination in Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge”; and received critical kudos for his one-man show “Hizzoner!” which was based on the life of Fiorello La Guardia, a show he later took to public television and won an Emmy award. Tony’s film career started off promisingly enough with the cult classic The Honeymoon Killers (1970) in which he portrayed a cold-blooded ladies’ man who, paired with a heavyset nurse, sought out wealthy, lonely women to swindle and murder. Over the years he has given added weight and dimension to such films as The French Connection (1971), The Seven-Ups (1973), Bloodbrothers (1978), City of Hope (1991), Nixon (1995) and The Juror (1996). Although he never quite found the right series to make himself a household name, he scored exceptionally well with such mini-movies as Marciano (1979) (TV), as fighter Rocky Marciano, and Bella Mafia (1997) (TV). He has directed such TV programs as “Police Story” (1973) and the feature film Too Scared to Scream (1985). In a solid career that has nearly reached the four decade mark, the durable Tony has brought to life a number of interesting hard-boiled characters, particularly in crimers.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac chats with Art Gallery Owner Romany Kramoris in Sag Harbor – Video by Mauro Botero
On July 18 Manhattanites and Hamptonites attended a champagne reception at the Romany Kramoris Gallery, 41 Main Street in Sag Harbor for world renowned Judy Carmichael, who released her smashing new C.D. “Southern Swing.” This local Sag Harbor resident plays “stride” piano and includes captivating anecdotes that have fascinated audiences as she plays all over the globe.
Cognac chats with Pianist Judy Carmichael at Romany Kramoris Art Gallery in Sag Harbor – Video by Mauro Botero
Grammy nominated pianist Judy Carmichael is one of the world’s leading interpreters of stride piano and swing. Count Basie nicknamed her “Stride”, acknowledging the command with which she plays this technically and physically demanding jazz piano style. Another early fan, Sarah Vaughan, encouraged her to record her first ensemble album, which she did with members of the Basie band.
A native of California, Judy Carmichael moved to New York in the early 80’s and has maintained a busy concert schedule throughout the world ever since. She has toured for the United States Information Agency throughout India, Portugal, Brazil and Singapore. In 1992 Ms. Carmichael was the first jazz musician sponsored by the United States Government to tour China.
For more information about Pianist Judy Carmichael please visit http://www.judycarmichael.com
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine
Cognac chats with Fashion Designer Tani Keller while sipping Champagne – Video by Mauro Botero
I had the pleasure of interviewing innovative Fashion Designer Tani Keller as we sipped champagne at Asiana Restaurant in Manhattan this past Saturday evening.
German born Tani Kellers designs have been featured in several international magazines including Billboard, Gotham, Latina, Black Book, Playboy, Quest, Stitch, Surface, WWD and Zinc as well as websites such as FashionWireDaily.com and NYSocialDiary.com; on Fox , BET and MTV Television; shown at fashion shows in New York Fashion Week and overseas, charities, auctions, hedgefunds, displays in exclusive restaurants, collective designer press and nominated as one of the five best designers in Women’s Apparel by Fashion Group International in 2003 and recipient of the “2003 Rising Star Awards”.
Tani’s designs are generally used in connection with high publicity events such as music tours, music videos (George Michael, Whitney Houston and Tiffany), music posters, TV programs, and high profile socialite events and weddings. Not only are the designs the result of an intensive artistic endeavor, the type of clientele requires that the pieces be unique/one-of-a-kind and are never copied again.
Due to many requests from clients for clothes evidencing Tani’s own personal style, her business involves fashion consulting and a custom-made Haute-Couture business. Besides eveningwear and brides, Tani specialize in combining leathers, furs, snakes and lizards. Tani’s reputation is to create a very unique and ‘never seen before’ style. Often, due to the high profile of many of her clients, it is necessary that she invests a lot of time and energy to make sure the fit and the design of her customer’s creations are impeccable.
To contact Tani please visit her website at http://tanikeller.com/
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine
Cognac Chats with Actor/Filmaker Jsu Garcia about his lates movie project “Spiritual Warriors” – Video by Mauro Botero
This past weekend I was happy to interview Actor/Filmmaker Jsu Garcia at the screening of his latest piece of work “Spiritual Warriors” at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor.
From Cuban descent, Jsu was born in New York City in 1962 after his parents left Cuba for better opportunities. Growing up on the rough streets of Newark, New Jersey, Jsu had to fend for himself. He became aware of his acting talents when he manipulated a bully intending to mug him to let him go unharmed, “It was then I knew I could act,” Jsu remembers. Determined to be an actor, he migrated to Hollywood.
His first break came when he auditioned for the TV show “Fame” (1982) and got the part. He then landed a role in Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), in which he appeared opposite Johnny Depp. This was followed by an appearance in Universal’s Gotcha! (1985) opposite Anthony Edwards and Linda Fiorentino, and then in quick succession in features such as Traffic (2000), Wildcats (1986), Slaves of New York (1989), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995) and numerous others. In 2002 Garcia was in Randall Wallace’s We Were Soldiers (2002) in which he portrays Mel Gibson’s heroic buddy, the commander of a company fighting against the Viet Cong; and in Andrew Davis’ Collateral Damage (2002), in which he plays a villainous Communist guerrilla who battles good guy Arnold Schwarzenegger. In addition to numerous stints on such TV shows as “JAG” (1995), “Arli$$” (1996) and “Murder One” (1995), Garcia just finished playing the hot, sexy male lead in an ABC / Touchstone pilot, “Then Came Jones”, for Brancato/Selke – the guys behind “Boomtown” (2002).
In 1998 he partnered up with John-Roger to create “Scott J-R Productions” and they wrote, directed and produced a short film, My Little Havana (1998), based on the true story about a period in Jsu’s life when he fell in love with the daughter of a Mafia chief in Miami. The film was selected for screening at the South Beach Film Festival and the Cuban Film Festival. His latest achievement is filming “Spiritual Warriors.”
Spiritual Warriors is the story of a misguided actor, FINN (Jsu Garcia), who meets a mysterious elderly man, ROGER (Robert Easton), claiming to know him from the past. Roger convinces an extremely skeptical and reluctant Finn to become his student and prepares him to fight the evil power of darkness that threatens the world.
to Learn more about this enlightening film please visit http://www.spiritualwarriors.com/
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine
Cognac Chats with Actress Mary Sheridan – Video by Mauro Botero
I had the pleasure of interviewng Actress Mary Sheridan about her upcoming Play “Summer and Smoke.”
Mary has studied classical theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and has played Mistress Anne in the the theatre producxtion “Merry Wives of Windsor” and has appeared on the Chappelle’s Show and the Stepford Wives produced by Paramount Picxtures.
To learn more about her upcoming play please visit http://theatrerow.org/
Cognac chats with TV Host Hector Bosa Video by Mauro Botero
Another interesting character that I haven’t seen in quite some time was TV Host Hector Bosa.
Hector produces a variety show on Cable TV to learn more about Hector please visit
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Diane Sawyer and Mike Nichols
Famous Director Mike Nichols is doing well after taking a hiatus from directing the Broadway hit “The Country Girl” to have a coronary bypass over the weekend, according to several sources. The operation is said to have gone well and he is recuperating in a hospital on the Upper East Side with his wife, “Good Morning America” anchor Diane Sawyer, by his side. His rep, Leslee Dart Nichols, said, “He is doing very well and they are extremely pleased with his recovery.”
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Heather Mills
Heather Mills has decided to invest in more real estate. After purchasing a flat in the West Village for a cool $5 million she has decided to buy a cheaper house in Hollywood or Beverly Hills but the Paul McCartney ex has been shown home price points over a million. Prudential Realty has been taking her to see fabulous homes for $1.1 or $1.2 mil and she refuses to pay more than $1 million. My source reveals that she is stubborn and will absolutely not negotiate.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Kirsten Dunst
It seems beautiful blonde actress Kirsten Dunst is after two men. Emile Hirsch – Kirsten Dunst has been following Emile Hirsch. A source revealed that Kirsten was smoking cigarettes outside the Bowery Hotel and reported “Kirsten was there just to see Emile.” After she finished her cig, the source said, Kirsten followed the press-shy actor to club Bowery Electric next door. “She was all alone,” the source went on . “She was going to the bar just to see him.” But just two days later, OK! magazine reports, Dunst was “all over Justin Long trying to kiss him.” So which one will it be Kirsten?
